Global, High-Resolution, Reduced-Complexity Air Quality Modeling Using InMAP (Intervention Model for Air Pollution)

Each year, millions of premature deaths worldwide are caused by exposure to outdoor air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Designing policies to reduce these deaths relies on air quality modeling for estimating changes in PM2.5 concentrations from many policy scenarios at high spatial resolution. However, air quality modeling typically has high requirements for computation and expertise, which limits policy design, especially in countries where most PM2.5-related deaths occur. Lower requirement reduced-complexity models exist but are generally unavailable worldwide. Here, we adapt InMAP, a reduced-complexity model originally developed for the United States, to simulate annual-average primary and secondary PM2.5 concentrations across a global-through urban spatial domain: “Global InMAP”. Global InMAP uses a variable resolution grid, with 4 km horizontal grid cell widths in cities. We evaluate Global InMAP performance both against measurements and a state-of-the-science chemical transport model, GEOS-Chem. For the emission scenarios considered, Global InMAP reproduced GEOS-Chem pollutant concentrations with a normalized mean bias of 59%–121%, which is sufficient for initial policy assessment and scoping. Global InMAP can be run on a desktop computer; simulations here took 2.6–4.4 hours. This work presents a global, open-source, reduced-complexity air quality model to facilitate air pollution policy assessment worldwide, providing a screening tool for reducing the deaths where they occur most.

An Exploration of Child–Staff Interactions That Promote Physical Activity in Pre-School

A previous study identified a significant association between the average physical activity levels of pre-school staff and children during pre-school hours but did not determine if this association was initiated by pre-school staff or children. The present study aimed to explore the interactions between children and staff to better understand the conditions of such a relationship. Observations using the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) protocol were carried out in three pre-schools, and a focus-group interview and semiformal interviews were conducted with five pre-school staff in one of the three pre-schools to examine the research question. Both the observations and the interview data revealed that physical activity by pre-school staff initiated physical activity among the children. The findings pointing to the importance of pre-school staff as organizers of the physical activity of children and the willingness of staff to join a physical activity initiated by the children also appear to be important. The findings also indicate that most of the physical activity took place outdoors. The study highlights the importance of pre-school staff as major contributors to the physical activity of pre-school children.

Water Resources Management Models for Policy Assessment

Water resources management models support a variety of research applications, including the assessment of water availability [...]